Steam iron with collapsible support



Dec. 20, 1955 G. A. BRACE 2,727,321

STEAM IRON WITH COLLAPSIBLE SUPPORT Filed DEC. 18, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. Fig 2 George A. Brace finlmfi/ffi b wm ATTORN E Y.

Dec. 20, 1955 ca. A. BRACE 2,727,321

STEAM IRON WITH COLLAPSIBLE SUPPORT Filed Dec. 18, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig. 3

77 l r IN VEN TOR.

Eh 72 George A. Brace ATTOHNE Y.

Dec. 20, 1955 e. A. BRACE 2,727,321

STEAM IRON WITH COLLAPSIBLE SUPPORT Filed Dec. 18, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. George A. Brace BY J/ZJQO/FR WM ATTORNEY.

United States Patent Ofiice 2,727,321 iPatent-ed Dec. 20, 1955 2,727,321 STEAM moN WITH coLLAPsmLE sUPPonr George A. Brace, Highland Park, EL, assignor to The Hoover Company, North Canton, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application December 13, 1952, Serial No. 326,727

3 Claims. (Cl. 38-79) the rear end of the iron is necessarily small and the center of gravity is unavoidably so high that the iron is easily upset. Needless to 59. this frequently results in extensive damage to the iron as it rolls ofi the ironing board and onto the floor. But of even greater importance is the fact that this highly unstable mode of support is eX- tremely hazardous for the operator. ventional mode of support is so awkward, tiring and irksome to use that many women leave the iron resting on its sole plate and strive desperately to readjust the material being ironed before the hot iron scorches the ironing board cover.

Many expedients have been proposed heretofore to overcome these disadvantages by the use of substitute supporting devices not requiring upending of the iron. For the most part these have dealt with folding or extendable supports operable in a great variety of ways to hold the sole plate above the ironing board. But while these have avoided one or more or" the disadvantages of upending the iron, they have been attended by other 0b jectional features such as complexity of parts, excessive cost, unsightliness, and have left much to be desired from the standpoint of simplicity of convenience. Moreover, none of the collapsing supports heretofore proposed is suitable for use with a steam iron.

The present invention features a semi-automatic collapsing support characterized by a simplicity of construction and operation not heretofore approached. The device is so compact that, when collapsed, it is concealed within a narrow slot of the sole plate. Furthermore, its unique mode of connection to the iron is such as to render manual control mechanisms unnecessary either to lock the support in its collapsed position or to actuate it for movement to its extended iron supporting position. This is for the reason that the invention, in its essential aspects, involves the use of a single moving element biased to its retracted position in all operating positions of the iron but which is instantly movable by gravity to its extended iron supporting position when the iron is tilted to a predetermined angle. Since this single moving element is actually smaller than the quantity of sole plate metal removed to provide a concealing chamber for it, its use on the iron adds no weight whatever to the iron-which is in sharp contrast to constructions heretofore proposed. Neither does the incorporation of the invention in an iron add more than an insignificant amount to the manufacturing cost.

And of particular importance, my novel steam iron incorporating the concealed semi-automatic supporting Moreover, this cona mechanism of this invention is only slightly larger than conventional dry type irons. Yet my iron has as great or greater water capacity than much bulkier steam irons and includes the usual steam, water and temperature controls.

Accordingly, it is a prime object of the present invention to provide a new and simplified sadiron having a unique supporting mechanism.

A further object is the provision of a steam iron construction incorporating a collapsible support normally concealed within the iron and which is automatically extendable to a position for supporting the sole plate out of contact with the ironing surface by a simple manipulation of the iron itself.

Another object is the provision of a collapsing support for a sadiron featuring a single moving element, as well as a simplified support which is self-retracting to a position above the surface of the sole plate and which is selflocking in this retracted position in all operating positions of the iron and irrespective of whether the iron is on or oil the ironing board.

Still another object is the provision of a collapsing support having a single moving element which is movable to an extended position by gravity action when the iron is moved to a position slightly beyond that normally occupied while the iron is in use.

A further object is the provision of a steam iron construction having a collapsing rest mechanism confined to the space below the water reservoir and which does not require a control mechanism extending above or through the reservoir.

Another object is the provision of a collapsing rest mechanism which is bodily movable toward or away from the periphery of the iron in moving from or to its fully retracted position, as well as one which automatically pivots downwardly away from the sole plate to its extended position as soon as it has shifted bodily out of its stable retracted position.

Yet another object is the provision of means utilizing the bodily shifting movement of the rest mechanism while approaching its fully retracted position to lift the lower edge of the rest slightly above the surface of the sole plate to avoid any possibility of the rest snagging the material being ironed.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed specification of several illustrative embodiments of the invention taken in connection with the accompany drawings, wherein:

Figure l is a longitudinal sectional view through a sadiron incorporating the invention and showing the support fully retracted;

Figure 2 is a side view the iron supported on the Figure 3 is a side view, partly in section through a part of the steam port area as well as through the slot in the sole plate in which a second embodiment of the collapsing support is located;

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the supporting strut empioyed in the Figure 3 construction;

Figure 5 shows the strut of the second embodiment in its extended iron supporting position;

Figure 6 is a side view partly in section of a third embodiment with the rest member fully retracted;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken transversely of the sole plate and showing the rest of the third embodiment locked in retracted position;

Figure 8 is similar to Figure 7 and shows the iron tilted sidewise about the edge of the sole plate and with the rest in unlatched position in readiness to pivot to its extended position; and

Figure 9 shows the iron of the third embodiment supported on the rest.

partly in section and showing collapsing support;

The principal components of the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 include a cast aluminum sole plate 10, a cover shell 11 enclosing a water reservoir 12, a thermostatic heat regulator 13 and an operating handle 14 secured to and overlying the cover shell. All of the con-. structional details have not been illustrated since these are not essential to the invention. However, it is to be understood that the construction closely follows that of the combination steam and dry iron disclosed in the copending application for United States Letters Patent Serial No. 295,950 filed on June 27, 1952, by John E. Vance, now Patent 2,668,378, dated February 9, 1954, and assigned to the same assignee as the present application.

The rod-like electric heating element 15 is bent into a V shape and is cast into the sole plate with its legs extending along the sides of the sole plate and meeting near the toe of the sole plate in accordance with customary practice as clearly indicated in Figure 1. The rear ends of the heater terminate in upturned ends rearward of the water reservoir 12 and in a convenient position for connection to the service cord terminals and to the thermostatic regulator 13. The forward portion of the sole plate and the adjacent sides thereof are formed with a labyrinth of passages which are in communication with a second series of passageways formed in the underside of a wide V-shaped cover plate 16 held in steamtight engagement with the upper surface of the sole plate by series of screws 17 only one of which is illustrated. This labyrinth of passages includes a central cup-shaped chamber 18 within the nexus of the heating element 15 and forming a flash type steam boiler. The water is delivered to this boiler one drop at a time and is immediately flashed into steam by the hot sole plate. This steam passes around either end of a barrier 20 at the rear side of the b oiler into a short V-shaped channel 21 from. which it escapes through an opening 21 into a second V-shaped channel 22 the legs of which extend rearwardly and closely along the inner sides of heating element 15.

The underside of cover plate 16 is provided with a series of interconnected cavities which communicate near their. rear ends with the rear portions of channels 22. For the main part, the passages in the cover plate overlie heater element 15 for the purpose of further super-heating the steam as it is conducted to a series of ports extending vertically through the sole plate and discharging the steam downwardly into the maten'albeing ironed.

The water reservoir 12 comprises a sheet metal tank having a valve fitting generally designated 24 in its lower side. This fitting is provided with a semi-spherical outer surface 25 which seats on, a similarly formed seat 26. in a t stainless steel non-heat conducting washer 27 stakedto cover plate 1 6. The valve fitting has a metering orifice 28 for discharging water drop by drop into fiash boiler 18.

The reservoir may be conveniently filled through a filter tube generally designated 29 having an L-shaped passage opening into the top forwardend of the reservoir. The lower end of the fitting is secured to the reservoir-by staking as indicated at 30. The forward upper end of the isprovided with a water filling opening 31 located in the forward face of the hollow front leg of operating handle 14 where it is conveniently accessible for the reception of water when the iron is in its inclined rest position illustrated: in Figure 2.

The flow of water from the reservoir into boiler 18 is controlled by a valve 32 on the lower end of a stem 33 extending vertically through the reservoir and filler fitting 29; The upper end; of the stem is pivotally connected to a fnanuallyoperative control knob 34 projecting through an opening at the upper forward corner of the handle.

Cpntrol knob 34 is pivotally supported at 35. in a bracket 36isec'ured to the top of fitting 29. A spring 37 is connected between the fitting and control knob 34, and acts to urge the valve to. its closed position except when it is in its fully open position illustrated in Figure 11 at which time spring 37 is ineffective to move the valve in either direction.

Handle 14 is held assembled to the upper side of cover shell 11 as by screws 38, 39, and bracket 40. interposed between the cover shell and bracket 40 is a cantilever leaf spring 42 the forked forward end of which straddles fitting 29 and bears against flanges projecting from either side thereof in a manner to urge the water reservoir and valve fitting 25in firm seating engagement with resilient washer 27. The rear end of reservoir 12 rests on a bracket 43 carried at the rear end of the sole plate.

The conventional thermostatic regulator element 13 is rigidly secured to the sole plate by a screw 44 and hasa stem 45 extending upwardly through a flattened tubular thimble 46 the opposite ends of which are secured to the top and bottom walls of the water reservoir. Stem 45 projects upwardly through the cover shell and carries a large diameter regulator knob 47 which can be rotated to change the adjustment of thermostat 13 in a well known manner.

The longer transverse axis of thimble 46 extends crosswise of reservoir 12 to provide room for a pair of assembly bolts, not shown, which are spaced to either side of stem 45. These bolts pass downwardly through the cover shell, thimble 46 and into bosses on either side of control device 13 and serve to hold the handle, cover shell and reservoir securely assembled to the sole plate. The heads of the assembly bolts are, of course, normally concealed by dial 47 and are accessible when this dial is removed. The dial is operatively securedto shaft 45 by spring clips 48 anchored to the cover shell.

Cover shell 11 projects for some distance beyond the heel of sole plate 10 and underlies the hollowrear leg 49 of the operating handle. The service cord is mounted, in the side of the rear leg and its terminals 50 project downwardly into the rear end of the cover shell where they are connected in circuit with heating element 15 and thermostatic control device 13. Access to these terminals is gained through a removable cover plate 51 shaped to close the open lower side of cover shell 11 and detachably held in place thereover by a screw 52 and a bracket 53 anchored to the heel of the sole plate.

The unique collapsible support forming an important feature of the invention is mounted in a narrow slot 54 extending longitudinally of the sole plate in the area between the steam passages andthe mounting base for thermostatic regulator 13. The support proper com-' prises a thin metal stamping 55 which fits loosely between the sides of slot 54 and is pivotally supported therein by a pivot pin 56 operating in a slot or channel 57. When the support is fully retracted and the iron is in its normal ironing position, pin 56 is positioned in the upper end of the channel and the latter is inclined to an angle of approximately 25 to the horizotal. Slot 57 is. slightly wider than the diameter of pin 56 so as to slide freely therealong when the, iron is tilted rearwardly in, excess. of 25.

The upper forward surface 58 of support 55' is preferably inclined at a somewhat greater angle than slot 51 and underlies the lower end of a light leaf spring keeper 59- anchored to the sole plate as by screw 60. Spring 59 tends to pivot counterclockwise as viewed in Figure 1 so that its hooked end rides along surface 58 of support 55 and, in so doing, pivots strut 55 counterclockwise about pivot 56 until the spring contacts a stop 61 carried by the sole plate. Spring 59 has a two-fold purpose. Thus, during the final collapsing movement of the strut, the spring rides along surface 58 so as to pivot the, strut upwardly into slot 54 until its lower edge is flush with or slightly above the-lower surface of the soleplate. Thereafter, the spring bears against surface 58 to. lock the strut retracted until the iron is again tilted beyond the critical strut releasing angle. It should be noted that spring 59.; does not move vertically to any appreciable Operation of first embodiment As shown in Figure 1, the iron is in readiness for use as a steam iron. Assuming that there is water in reservoir 12, the water flows through orifice drop by drop into flash boiler 18 where it is instantly converted into steam. This steam passes through the labyrinth provided by passages 28 and 22 where it is partially superheated. This steam then passes upwardly into the distributing cavities formed in cover plate 16 where it is further super-heated before it passes downwardly through the usual steam ports and into the material being ironed. If the operator desires to cut off the flow of steam, she merely presses control handle 34 forwardly causing the valve stem to move downwardly and seat over the upper end of orifice 25. Reconversion to steam ironing is equally as expeditious and is accomplished merely by pressing control button 34 upwardly to open the water valve and allow water to flow to the boiler. The supporting strut, of course, remains latched in its retracted position as the iron is moved freely backward and forward and irrespective of whether the iron remains supported on the ironing surface or is lifted therefrom as is I necessary in many ironing operations.

If the operator wishes to support the sole plate otf the ironing board while adjusting the article being ironed or while placing a fresh piece of material upon the ironing board, she merely tilts the iron rearwardly onto the rear corner of cover plate 51. As the sole of the iron is pivoted upwardly to an angle in excess of slot 57 in the strut member, this strut tends to shift rearwardly toward the heel of the sole plate by gravity action to the extent permitted by the lost motion connection provided by slot 57 and pin 55. During this movement, spring 59 remains stationary and surface 58 moves out of contact with the hooked end of the spring since surface 58 is inclined somewhat more than slot 57. As soon as nose 62 of the strut passes beyond the end of the spring, the strut is free to pivot downwardly about pin 56 until its lower end is beneath and slightly forwardly of the pivot pin. The iron may then be lowered the slight amount necessary for it to be supported di ectly by the strut and pin 56, as illustrated in Figure 2. Since the forward edge of the strut abuts the front end of slot 54, the strut cannot pivot beyond the fully extended position thereof. Note that the iron is then supported in an inclined rest position and that the sole plate is completely out of contact with the ironing surface. release and opening movement of the strut has taken place entirely by gravity action.

The supporting area of the iron in its rest position is defined by the widely spaced rear corners of cover plate 51 and the lower end of strut 55 which is now located near the toe end of the sole plate. This provides a very wide supporting base for the iron in which the center of gravity of the iron is located well within the supporting area and close to the ironing board.

During the extension of the strut, spring 59 remains stationary against stop 61 until nose 62 of the strut passes behind the end of the spring. As the strut pivots downwardly nose 62 pivots upwardly behind the end of spring 59. At this time pin 56 will be at the forward end of slot 57. However, as soon as the iron is lowered, strut 55 will be pushed upwardly to the limit permitted by the rear end of slot 57 and pin 56. During this movement the lower cur/ed end of the strut will press spring 59 forwardly toward the rear wall of steam passageway 22 and hold it there. it remains in this stressed condition so long as the iron is supported on the strut.

As soon as the operator is ready to resume ironing, she collapses the rest merely by grasping the grip of handle 14 and pushing the iron forwardly causing the strut to pivot counter-clockwise as the iron moves downit will also be apparent that the wardly against the board. As the strut approaches its fully retracted position, the stressed free end of spring 59 overrides the nose 62 of the strut and rides along camrned surface 58 so as to lift the strut out of contact with the board and latch it retracted. Hence, the strut can neither shift lengthwise in the slot or pivot downwardly therefrom until the iron is again tilted to the predetermined angle required to effect its release.

Second embodiment The second embodiment illustrated in Figures 3 to 5 is identical with the first embodiment with the exception of the collapsible support. Accordingly, the details of the interior construction need not be described and all components which are identical with those of the first embodiment, or substantially so, have been referred to by the same reference characters distinguished by a prime.

Sole plate 19' is provided with a relatively wide slot 71'? extending through the upper and lower surfaces of the sole plate along its longitudinal axis. Pivotally supported within slot 7:) is a channel-shaped strut generally designated 'i 1. This strut has a flat bottom 72 and upstanding side walls 73, 7 of the general configuration shown in Figure 3. The upper forward portions of side walls 73,

7 3 are provided with a pair of slots or channels 75 which cooperate with pivot pin 56' extending there through and journaled in the sole plate to provide a lost motion connection between the strut and the iron proper of the same general character described in connection with the first embodiment. Extending crosswise of the forward end of the strut is a counter-balance member 77 so disposed that the center of gravity of strut 71, when in its retracted position as shown in Figure 3, lies in a vertical plane represented by the dot and dash line 78. Note that this center of gravity point lies intermediate the ends of slots 75.

From the foregoing it will be readily apparent that when the strut is in its retracted position, pivot pin 56' will be located at the rear ends of slots 75 and that the center of gravity of the strut will be located forwardly of the pin. Accordingly, the strut will be counter-bah anced counter-clockwise as viewed in Figure 3 and weight 77 will rest against the bottom of notches 79 extending transversely of the sole plate near the front end of slot 70. The strut will be in a stable retracted position and will remain there without danger of being misplaced in all normal operating positions of the iron and without regard to whether the iron remains on or off the ironing board.

Operation of second embodiment Let it be assumed that the iron is in use and that the parts are in the position illustrated in Figure 3. In these circumstances the iron may be used as a steam or a dry iron the same manner described above or in connection with Figures 1 and 2. The iron may also be lifted from the ironing board and tilted to various normal operating positions without the likelihood of displacing the strut member from its fully retracted position. This is for the reason that the center of gravity of the rest is located well forwardly of pivot pin 56.

if the operator wishes to support the iron in an inclined rest position, she merely tilts the toe of the iron rearwardly about the rear end of cover plate 51' to an angle in excess of that which slots 75 normally make with the ironing board when the iron is resting thereon. As this angle is exceeded, the strut shifts freely rearwa dly as permitted by slots 75 and pin 56'. As the center of gravity shifts to the rear side of the pivot pin, the strut pivots clockwise about the pivot pin and the forward end of slots 75 until the lower edge of the strut abuts the forward end of slot 79, as shown in Figure 5. As the toe of the iron is lowered, the strut contacts the ironing board and pin 56' seats itself in the lower ends of slots 75. The iron is then rigidly supported in the unusually stable inclined rest position illustrated.

Retraction of the rest and the return of the iron to its operating condition is achieved in the same general manner as described for the first embodiment. Thus, the operator grasps the grip of the handle and pushes the iron forwardly as the strut pivots counter-clockwise. Inasmuch as the center of gravity of the strut is now located forwardly of the pivot pin, the strut quickly pivots to its fully retracted position shown in Figure 3 wherein the bottom 72 of the strut is lifted slightly above the surface of the sole plate, and counterweight 77 rests against the bottom of notches 79.

It will be readily appreciated that counterweight 77 is unnecessary provided the ends of slot 75 are located on opposite sides of the struts center of gravity. Thus, it is quite feasible to stamp the strut from a single strip of sheet material and to locate slots 75 traversing the center of gravity midway between the ends of the strip. The use of such a strut is quite feasible in a dry iron where the long front end of the strut can be tolerated. However, such a long strut is not desirable in connection with a steam iron because of the space limitations and the fact that the interior of the cover shell is usually occupied by the water reservoir.

Third embodiment The third embodiment illustrated in Figures 6 to 9, like the second embodiment is generally similar to the construction of Figures 1 to 2. Accordingly, the principal component has been designated by the same reference characters distinguished by a double prime.

This third embodiment further exemplifies the scope of the invention and demonstrates the fact that the basic principles may be practiced by a structure differing quite widely from those described above.

. The gravity actuated collapsible strut generally designated 80 is pivotally supported in a slot 81 extending lengthwise along the longitudinal center line of sole plate From Figures 7 and 8 it will be noted that slot 81 is L shaped in cross section to accommodate the similarly shaped strut member 80. Moreover, its vertical leg is considerably wider than the thickness of the upright side of the strut member for a reason which will become apparent presently.

A pivot pin 82, is rigidly secured to the upright wall of the strut and projects from either sides thereof as clearly shown in Figures 7 and 8. This pivot pin is inclined to the lower surface of the sole plate and is freely and slidably supported by a pair of aligned channels 83, 83. similarly inclined to the surface of the sole plate. Although Figures 7 and 8 do not so indicate, it is obvious that the upper halves of channels 83 are formed in removable caps to facilitate assembly and disassembly of strut 80 and, pin 82.

Note that the length of pivot pin 82 is considerably less than the length of the channels 83. Accordingly, the unitary strut and pivot pin is. freely slidable axially of the channels which are inclined to the horizontal. Hence, the strut member will always tend to accupy the lowest possible position. When the iron is supported on its sole plate, as in Figure 7, strut 80 will occupy a position to the left. However, if the iron is tilted sidewise about the right hand longitudinal edge of the sole plate until the right hand end of the channel is below the left hand end, then the strut will slide axially along the channels until itoccupies the position shown in Figure 8. This gravity actuated shifting movement of the strut is utilized to release it from its locked retracted position in a manner which will now be described.

Referring first to Figure 6, it will be noted'that the upper forward end of strut 30 is provided with a projecting nose portion 84; Overlying nose 84 when the latch is fully retracted, is a locking detent 85 carried by the sole plate. The lower surface 86" of detent 85 is inclined upwardly toward the right, hand side of, the iron and acts as a camming surface engageable with the upper surface of nose 84 on the strut so as to pivot the rear end of the strut upwardly as the latter shifts to the left during its retraction. Detent 85 extends part way across the upper forward end of slot 81 but not so far as, to interfere with the clockwise pivoting of the strut to its extended position when it is shifted to the right during the opening movement thereof as shown in Figure 8.

Operation of third embodiment hand edge of the sole plate until the right hand end of channel 83 is below the left hand end. Under these conditions the strut will slide freely to the right until nose 84 of the strut is entirely clear of detent 85. As soon as this occurs, the much heavier rear end will cause the strut to pivot downwardly until its lower edge abuts the forward end of slot 81. The iron may now be tilted back to the left leaving the iron supported on the rear corners of cover 51" and the substantially vertically disposed strut 88 in the manner illustrated in Figure 9.

The return of the iron to its. normal operating position is accomplished by grasping the handle and pushing th iron forwardly to pivot strut counter-clockwise back into slot 81. As the sole plate approaches the ironing surface, gravity will act on the strut to shift it bodily to the left in channels 83. As the strut shifts to the left,v

the cammed surface 86 of the detent will act on nose 84 of. the strut so as to pivot the strut slightly above the surface. of the sole plate.

In each of the above described embodiments it will be observed that I have made use of a single moving element having a lost motion connection with the iron itself. This connection is so arranged as to be responsive to gravity upon the tilting of the iron beyond a predetermined angle to permit the strut to shift toward one edge of the sole plate to release it for downward pivotal movement to its, extended iron supporting position. Moreover, upon, the collapse of the rest, the automatic shifting of the rest in the reverse direction serves to return the rest to its fully retracted position as well as to. elevate its lower edge above the surface of the sole plate, without the assistance of the operator and without the need, for any special or motivating manipulation on the part of the operator. I

From the foregoing description, it. will be-'ap .preciate,dthat the simple collapsible strut described in detail above may take various forms in addition to, the, three specific. forms described above. Many other structural arrange,- ments obviously come Within thescope of the invention. Although each embodiment shows but a single pivoted member it will be appreciated that more than one strut may be employed in a given iron and that thesev may be:

disposed in various locations on the iron- Moreover, the.

strut may be pivoted near, its rear end instead of its forward end and it need not be located on the longitudinal center line of the iron although this disposition is advantageous from the standpoint of providing a more stable. support for the iron as well as an arrangement in which the slot for the strut does not interfere with the, uniform distribution of heat across the surface of the sole, plate.

Furthermore, it will be appreciated that the invention is readily adaptable for use with any type of sadiron, whether of the dry orsteam type although it is particularly advantageous forsteam irons since the space required for supporting the strut mayeasily be confined to the thick-x ness of the sole plate. Moreover, manual control buttons;

levers, or the like, are unnecessary. As a consequence, the designer is not confronted with the problem of finding space for such controls Within the confines of the iron structure nor with the problem of extending such members through other components of the iron.

While I have shown and described but three embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that these embodiments are to be taken as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense. I do not wish to be limited to the particular structure shown and described but to include all equivalent variations except as limited by the scope or" the claims.

I claim:

1. A sadiron having a rest for supporting said iron with its sole plate out of contact with an ironing surface comprising, a sole plate having a V-shaped electric heating element embedded therein with its legs extending along the opposite sides of the sole plate and meeting at the toe end thereof, an elongated slot extending lengthwise of said sole plate between the legs of said heating element and opening downwardly through the face of the sole plate, supporting means positioned within said slot for supporting said iron in an inclined rest position with the sole plate out of contact with an ironing surface comprising, a strut, a cooperating pivot and channel connecting said strut and sole plate and supporting said strut for movement into and out of said slot from the bottom surface of said sole plate, said pivot and channel being formed to permit a limited shifting movement of one relative to the other, said channel being inclined to the horizontal when said iron is in its normal ironing position and said strut then being retracted to its collapsed position within said slot with said pivot adjacent one end of said channel, means for holding said strut so retracted while in said normal ironing position, said strut being releasable from said holding means by gravity action when said iron is tilted away from its normal ironing position in a direction to reverse the inclination of said channel with respect to the horizontal and cause said strut to shift bodily with respect to said sole plate as far as permitted by said channel to a position in which said strut is free of said holding means and is pivotable downwardly to the extended iron supporting position thereof.

2. A sadiron having a rest for supporting said iron with its sole plate out of contact with an ironing surface comprising, a sole plate having a V-shaped electric heating element embedded therein with its legs extending along the opposite sides of the sole plate and meeting at the toe end thereof, an elongated slot extending lengthwise of said sole plate between the legs of said heating element and opening downwardly through the face of the sole plate, supporting means positioned within said slot for supporting said iron in an inclined rest position with the sole plate out of contact with an ironing surface, said collapsible means including, a strut, a cooperating pivot and channel connecting said strut to said iron, said pivot and channel being shiftable relative to each other to a limited extent, said channel being inclined to the horizontal with said pivot means adjacent one end thereof when said iron is in its normal ironing position, means for normally holding said strut retracted within said slot, said strut being bodily shiftable to reverse the position of said pivot means with respect to the ends of said channel means and permit said strut to pivot downwardly below the surface of said sole plate when said iron is tilted away from its normal ironing position in a direction to reverse the inclination of said channel means with respect to the horizontal.

3. In an electric iron, a sole plate, said sole plate being formed with an opening extending therethrough substantially centrally thereof, a gravity actuated collapsible rest supported on said sole plate within said opening for supporting the iron in an inclined rest position with its sole plate free of the supporting surface, pivotal and slidable means for supporting said rest on said sole plate for both sliding and pivotal movement from its position within said opening to an extended iron supporting position, retaining means for holding said rest within said opening in its retracted position so long as said sole plate is maintained in a horizontal position, said supporting means and retaining means being constructed to permit a sliding movement of said rest relative to said sole plate to release said rest from said retaining means when said iron is tipped from its normal horizontal position and to thereafter permit said rest to pivot downwardly through said opening to its extended supported position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,332,745 OConnor Oct. 26, 1943 2,501,549 Swenson Mar. 21, 1950 2,596,314 Wales May 13, 1952 2,644,256 Finlayson July 7, 1953 2,664,655 Iepson Jan. 5, 1954 

